Optical electric field sensor using optical component having electrooptical effect

Abstract

An optical electric field sensor comprises optical components 2 through 4 and 11 through 13 including an optical crystal and is for measuring the intensity of an electric field, spontaneously or forcedly generated, by the use of variation of at least one of an intensity, a phase, and a polarization direction of a light beam passing through the electric field. The above-mentioned optical components are arranged and sealed in a package 7 made of at least one of a glass material such as quartz, a ceramics material, and a plastic material such as vinyl chloride having an antistatic-treated surface. More effectively, a main portion of the surface of the package 7 is subjected to abrasion. On the other hand, the optical crystal having an electrooptical effect is fixedly surrounded by a heat insulation material. The entire surface of the optical crystal substrate is coated with conductive resin. Silicone is applied in an area between modulation electrodes.

We claim: 
     
       1. An optical electric field sensor which comprises: optical components including an optical crystal and which is for measuring an intensity of an electric field, spontaneously or forcedly generated, by the use of variation of at least one of an intensity, a phase, and a polarization direction of a light beam passing through said electric field; and   wherein said optical components are arranged in a package made of a first heat insulation material.   
     
     
       2. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first heat insulation material is at least one material selected from a ceramics material and a glass material. 
     
     
       3. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein a main portion of a surface of said package is subjected to an abrasion treatment. 
     
     
       4. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electric field is applied through antennas connected to said optical crystal. 
     
     
       5. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said package is fixedly surrounded by a second heat insulation material. 
     
     
       6. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second heat insulation material comprises expanded polystyrene foam. 
     
     
       7. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said optical components are arranged such that at least a pair of modulation electrodes are located in the vicinity of an optical waveguide formed on an optical crystal substrate having an electrooptical effect; and   an electric field spontaneously or forcedly generated is led to said pair of modulation electrodes.   
     
     
       8. An optical electric field sensor which comprises: at least a pair o modulation electrodes located in the vicinity of an optical waveguide formed on an optical crystal substrate having an electrooptical effect and which is for measuring an electric field intensity by use of variation of at least one of an intensity, a phase, and a polarization direction of a light beam that is caused by leading to said pair of modulation electrodes an electric field spontaneously or forcedly generated; and   wherein at least one of treatments is carried out which include application of conductive resin onto an entire surface of said optical crystal substrate and application of silicone between said modulation electrodes.   
     
     
       9. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 8, wherein said optical crystal substrate is fixedly surrounded by a heat insulation material. 
     
     
       10. An optical electric field sensor which comprises: optical components including an optical crystal and which is for measuring an intensity of an electric field, spontaneously or forcedly generated, by use of variation of at least one of an intensity, a phase, and a polarization direction of a light beam passing through said electric field; and   wherein said optical components are arranged in a package made of a plastic material having an antistatic-treated surface.   
     
     
       11. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 10, wherein said plastic material comprises vinyl chloride. 
     
     
       12. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 10, wherein a main portion of a surface of said package is subjected to an abrasion treatment. 
     
     
       13. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 10, wherein said electric field is applied through antennas connected to said optical crystal. 
     
     
       14. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 10, wherein said package is fixedly surrounded by a heat insulation material. 
     
     
       15. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 14 wherein said heat insulation material comprises expanded polystyrene foam. 
     
     
       16. An optical electric field sensor as claimed in claim 10, wherein: said optical components are arranged such that at least a pair of modulation electrodes are located in the vicinity of an optical waveguide formed on an optical crystal substrate having an electrooptical effect; and   an electric field spontaneously or forcedly generated is led to said pair of modulation electrodes.